The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its officers received 545 baiting complaints during the archery, firearms and muzzleloader seasons. And they often encountered other hunting violations while investigating baiting.

The DNR says nearly 60 percent of the hunters who were cited admitted that they knew baiting was illegal, but did it anyway.

Deer baiting is defined as strategically placing food near deer stands or clearings in hopes of luring a deer into close range. Nationally, 28 states ban the practice in any form, while 22 allow it, though eight of them have significant restrictions.